General POV

Creek peacefully went home in his pod, but as he enters his pod, his father welcomed him with his irritating commands about Poppy.

"My son," Oleander spoke. "How has it been with you and the Princess?"

Creek closed his eyes in annoyance and groaned. "Dad, do you have to ask what I do with Princess Poppy every single time?!"

"I'm just making sure that you aren't failing on doing your job—"

"When will we ever stop from doing this stupid plan, dad? I can't resist this guilt I'm feeling whenever I'm with her anymore!"

Oleander's eyebrows puckered. "Whether you like it or not, you will follow every command I do. You should marry Princess Poppy for the sake of both of us!"

"Look, dad. I don't want to see Poppy getting hurt when she finds out that everything I do for her is only part of your cruel plans!"

"And who cares, huh? I'm doing this for you; for us! And she wouldn't know anything about this if only you are careful with your actions, Creek."

"Even so, dad," Creek uttered, turning his back to his father. "I do not wish for any of these lies to be continued."

"Fine. Do you want him to replace the throne instead of you? You don't want him to rule over you, don't you?"

Creek started to sweat. That's what he hates about his father: giving him two choices that are difficult for him to decide.

Sure, he definitely wants to resist him from taking the throne, but he can't take playing with Poppy's feelings anymore.

But he must do what he needs to do. He has to do what his father asks him to do—even if it's worth deceiving the princess.

In fact, he hates that troll, and he would never want him to reign.

"Fine, I'll do what you want—but I'm just doing this for you and for us." Creek finally said, and walked away.

Oleander chuckled. "That's my boy."

Poppy's POV

"Keep me safe..." I said in between shivers as my two arms were wrapped around this grump who's trying to protect us from an incoming bergen.

I still cannot believe he's been staring at me moments ago. Well, maybe he's just trying to see if I'm safe? Or maybe it was just chiefly a coincidence?

Suddenly, the cautious and fearful ambiance quickly vanished when Branch broke it with an unexpected cackle.

"Wait," I said in uncertainty and pursed my eyebrows. "Don't tell me you're trying to make fun of me the whole time."

Branch soon can't help himself and laughed even more.

"Ugh!" I shruged before quickly getting out of his arms and stomping my foot in annoyance.

"You must be so scared, don't you?" Branch teased in between his cackles.

His actions almost made me burst into rage, but soon enough it made me realized something odd.

"HA!" I exclaimed with my two fingers pointing him. "You're laughing!!"

"W—what? No I'm not!" Branch denied, with his face flushed, and crossed his arms.

"Then what do you call that thing you just did?"

"Uhh, a prank about the bergens?"

I groaned with a chuckle on his reply.

"Do you think I'm deaf? I never mishear what I hear; you really did laugh!"

Branch rolled his eyes. "But you just crazily acted like a chicken as if you really heard a bergen's footsteps. Are you even using your ears well?" he added with a sarcastic snicker.

"And, not just that," I said, ignoring his response. "You even did a prank on me, and it's proving that you — you do fun!"

"Shush! Will you just shut your mouth? I don't even know what fun is."

"Duhh, I think you just did," I teased, rolling my eyes once again.

"And who cares if I laughed? I'm still 'crazy' and 'paranoid' for everyone — that will obviously never change, anyway."

My goofy mood suddenly faded, hearing the thing Branch just told me.

"Ugh, can we just go now? A bergen might appear in our way and they might eat us if we don't move out," he said in a grave tone whilst facing away.

"I'm still 'crazy' and 'paranoid' for everyone — that will obviously never change, anyway."

Those words seem to not go away from my mind...

I suddenly felt bad and conscious about him. I mean, he doesn't really deserve to be called "crazy" and "paranoid" by everyone. In fact, just to be honest, I think he's actually not that bad after all.

As I was walking toward him, he unexpectedly turned to face me without knowing that I am behind him — making our noses touch.

Our faces were never been that close. I could feel his warm breath touching the skin of my face as we were unexpectedly looking at each other's eyes.

Gosh, Poppy. Why is this happening?

It felt nice, though. Unfortunately, Branch quickly pushed me and turned away. "Urgh! Would you be careful next time?!"

"What? What did I did this time? You were the one who isn't careful because you don't even use your senses to know I'm behind you."

"Ugh. Okay, okay! Can we just move on? Seriously, will you just shut your mouth?! Your undying noise might be awaken the Bergens, and we might die, because of you!"

"No bergens are going to eat us, Branch. Stop being paranoid!"

I got too angry that I stomped away.

"Hey, hey, where do you think you're going?" Branch asked, his voice showing the madness he's feeling.

"Don't. Even. Follow me," I grumbled as I continued walking away.

~♥~♡~♥~

Branch's POV

Heh. Does she even think she can survive going home by herself with all those horrible creatures out there? Oh well.

As soon as the pink troll went out of my sight, I pledged to myself not to follow her and not to be worried at all. In fact, she wanted that to happen.

But, what if she got stinged by a poisonous creature? Or fallen down a cliff? Or even got eaten by a giant bergen?!

Okay, you are getting paranoid again.

Branch. Stop. Being. Paranoid!

I tried my best to calm down and focus on observing unique species in this gigantic forest, but unfortunately the power of my worry towards the innocent Princess isn't resistable at all.

After a couple of seconds of walking and trying to choose between two life-risking decisions, I finally decided going back to look for Poppy.

"Poppy! Where are you?!" I screamed as vociferous as I could, hoping to make it loud enough for me to be heard by the Princess. "I know you're hiding somewhere. I ain't joking here!"

This time, I knew this isn't a joke. It seemed like Poppy did get lost — and it's because of me. "Poppy! Please show up!"

I ran and ran, hoping for my worried eyes to see those beautiful strands of pink hair again. Every step I took, the more rapid my anxious heart beated.

Damn, I don't want to lose her.

As I continued searching, my eyes took sight of a pink fur ball sitting at the edge of a cliff. Seeing that, I felt relief. That must be Poppy hiding herself in her hair. “Ah, Princess, looks like you couldn't go without me, huh?"

The pink ball of hair remained unspoken. "Er, Pops?"

I don't understand. Why isn't she responding?

Not any longer, the pink ball of hair fell down the cliff.

Wait, Poppy fell off the cliff!

"No!"

This is bad, this is bad!

"No, no, no, Poppy!"

Oh no, what should I do?! Think Branch, think!

I stretched my hair so hard just to try to reach out for her. I tried everything just to save her, but it's too late.

She...fell down to her death.

"Poppy," I weeped, kneeling down on the edge of the cliff, feeling no hope.

"Well, well," a familiar voice spoke. I quickly turned my sorrowful look to see who it was.

"Looks like you're the one who couldn't resist, huh?"

Poppy?!

"I—I thought you fell off the—"

"Cliff? Duh. I'm not dumb enough to just fall off a cliff," Poppy crossed her arms and laughed.

"God, are you nuts?! You made me so nervous!"

"And whose fault is it?" she smirked and confidently walked away.

Geez.

Author's Note

wow, after a year i
finally updated, eh?
lmao